US seeks to cover up strategic mistake on JCPOA: Iran official

Iran has censured as baseless meddlesome remarks that keep being repeated by some US officials about the Islamic Republic's internal affairs, saying the United States is trying to cover up its strategic mistake to withdraw from a historic 2015 nuclear agreement with Tehran.

According to Press TV, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi told ISNA on Friday that the US interference in Iran's internal affairs stems from its frustration and is aimed at making up for its "persistent" failures and wrong policies on Tehran over the past four decades.

Qassemi was referring to recent remarks by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who claimed that Iran’s latest missile launch proved that the nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is doing nothing to stop Tehran's missile program and called for tougher international restrictions on Iran.

Pompeo accused Iran of defying the UN Security Council as the country advances its ballistic missile capabilities.

Earlier this month, Iran unveiled a surface-to-surface missile, named Hoveyzeh, with a range of more than 1,350 kilometers during celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

"This cruise missile needs a very short time for its preparedness and can fly at a low altitude," Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami said during the unveiling ceremony.

In reaction to Pompeo's allegations, the Iranian spokesperson said after the United States' "hasty and illogical" move to pull out from the JCPOA, it is now trying to cover up its blunder and "repeatedly speaks about the futility of the JCPOA and the United Nations Resolution 2231."

Qassemi emphasized that the US and its allies, who are pursuing excessive demands and vicious goals against the Iranian nation, would fail to stop Iran's deterrent and defensive missile program.

He said the Iranian nation would never bow to the US threats and pressure but would firmly continue to boost its national strength, including its deterrent missile capabilities.

As repeatedly announced by Iranian officials, Iran's missile and defensive capabilities would help promote peace and stability in the region.

Iran says neither its space program nor its missile launches are banned under Resolution 2231.

Back in December, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Resolution 2231 had not imposed any ban on Iran’s missile program.

SS